Altercation leads to fatal stabbing at tavern

Durban police are probing a murder after a man was stabbed to death at a local tavern following an altercation in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The alleged murder suspect was arrested in the CBD after midnight by Blue Security armed response officers, according to Blue Security community and media liaison officer, Andreas Mathios.

Police spokesman, Lt/Col Thulani Zwane, said, “On 28 October 2018, a 30-year-old male was fatally stabbed whilst at Russell Street (Joseph Nduli) and he sustained a stab wound to the chest. A case of murder was opened at Durban Central police station and a 28-year-old suspect was arrested. He appeared in the Durban Magistrates’ Court.”

“The Blue Security armed response officers had responded to a block of flats in Diakonia Avenue in Albert Park where the suspect had fled from the scene of the crime to hide. The murder victim was a local man who was busy having a drink and chatting to friends at a local tavern when the suspect approached him. An altercation broke out and the suspect produced a knife and stabbed the victim several times. The victim was declared dead at the scene,” Mathios said.

“The suspect fled the scene and ran into a building to hide. Our officers responded swiftly to the scene and arrested him. He was handed over to SAPS officers who took control of the scene and took the suspect into custody,” added Mathios.